SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Ernst Schreiber, Page 253

ERNST SCHREIBER, a well-know citizen of Sherman Township, was born in Prussia, January 31, 1814, and is the fourth in a family of eight children, whose parents were John and Elizabeth (Conschagack) Schreiber.  Of the number, four are now living:  Charles, a resident farmer of Sherman Township; Dorothea, widow of John Gabriel, and a resident of Clark County; Rosina, wife of Charles Froelich, a farmer of Germany; and Ernest.  The parents were farming people and both died in their native land.  The father served for three years in the German army.  The family came to this country in 1860, embarking at Hamburg on a sailing-vessel commanded by Capt. Benst.  The trip consumed thirty-six days, and was a very stormy one.  Landing in New York, they went by rail to Milwaukee, and Mr. Schreiber began grading roads, while our subject drove the team.

    In 1862, Ernst Schreiber enlisted for the late war, becoming a member of Company I, Twenty-sixth Wisconsin Infantry.  The troops were ordered to Virginia, and he participated in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.  At the last-named battle Stonewall Jackson was killed by a mistaken volley from his own troops.  Mr. Schreiber was also in the three-days fight at Gettysburg, where the regiment lost most of its men.  Gen. Reynolds, who was in command, was killed at that place.  The Eleventh and Twelfth Army Corps then became the Twentieth, and joined the Western Army.  They went into winter quarters at Lookout Mountain, where the soldiers suffered severely from hardships and lack of food.  The next spring, Gen. Sherman started on his Atlanta Campaign, and under Gen. Hooker Lookout Mountain was captured.  They fought on the mountain above the clouds, with the lightning and storm below then.  This was a very singular and never-to-be-forgotten sight.  Mr. Schreiber also started on the march to the sea, but on the 20th of June was wounded at the battle of Resaca, Ga., and was sent to Nashville.  Later he rejoined his regiment, and participated in the battle of Raleigh, where Johnston surrendered.  The troops then marched to Richmond, and thence to Washington, and he there took part in the Grand Review, where wave after wave of bayonet-crested blue passed by the stand on which the President stood watching the victorious army.  He received an honorable discharge near Washington, June 23, 1865.

    Immediately after, Mr. Schreiber returned home, and worked in Milwaukee until 1868, when he removed to the farm which his parents had purchased in the mean time, and upon which he has since lived.  He was married October 13, 1870, to Miss Wilhelmina Ferk, and they have become the parents of ten children, seven of whom are yet living:  Ida, wife of Louis Wemhold; Emma, who is working in Milwaukee; Clara, Louisa, Freddie, Lisetta and Anna, at home.

    Mr. Schreiber is recognized as a practical and progressive farmer, and is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of rich land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation.  He has made many good improvements thereon, and the buildings are models of convenience.  The well-tilled fields and neat appearance of the place indicate the supervision of a careful owner.  Mr. Schreiber cast his first vote for Lincoln in 1864, but is now a Democrat.  He holds membership with St. John's Lutheran Church.